Countdown on to return of Telford Balloon Fiesta

Taking place over the weekend of August 25 to 27 at Telford Town Park, the balloon fiesta starts off on the Friday night with the Night Glow, followed by a host of activities and attractions on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday night's entertainement starts at 5pm with family-friendly workshops including circus skills and hula hoops, followed at 6.30pm with a Time Travel show from Rhubarb Theatre.

Music and entertainment on the live music stage from 7pm will be followed by the Night Glow spectacular, which gets underway from 9pm.

Activities on Saturday and Sunday run from noon to 7.30pm and will include the Wings Parachute Team dropping in at noon each day, Midlands Kite Flyers, a family activity zone, activities at the bike hub, food and drink areas, crafts and activities as well as heritage balloon tethering.

There will be live music each day from artists such as Rick Cosco, Telford and District Light Opera Players, Rock Choir, Got To Sing and more.

Balloon flights are scheduled for 6am and 6pm on both Saturday and Sunday but timings and launches are strictly weather dependent.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council cabinet member for climate action, green spaces, heritage and leisure, said: “We’re on a countdown to our very popular event and look forward to an amazing weekend of balloon activity.

"We know that people love to share their sightings of the balloons when they are able to launch as they fly over the borough and we love to see your pictures on social media.

"In a bonus addition to the programme on Saturday, we welcome special guests The Red Devils who will jump into the arena in the afternoon at around 5pm.

"This is a very special event and we are looking forward to seeing local residents as well as visitors to the region coming along over the weekend."

For information about the weekend see visittelford.co.uk/telfordballoonfiesta